FILM: Magic Mike XXL

HE SAID

The sequel to Steven Soderbergh’s 2012 smash hit male stripper dramedy is that rare beast, a follow up that is almost completely different in tone to it’s predecessor. Much more lightweight and frothy, this road movie caper is actually a great deal of fun although the plot is as flimsy as Channing Tatum’s jockstrap.

Three years after Mike (Tatum) left the Kings of Tampa to open his own furniture shop and live in domestic bliss, he receives a call from one of his old stripper buddies.

Believing someone to have passed away, Mike turns up to discover (some) of his old cohorts  Big Dick Richie (Joe Maganiello), Ken (Matt Bomer), Tito (Adam Rodriguez) and Tarzan (Kevin Nash) are on a trip to Myrtle Beach to take part in a male stripper convention (a real thing apparently).

Mike’s business isn’t doing too well and he misses his old life, buddies and dance routines, so agrees to accompany them one last time.So begins an adventure across the South from Florida to Georgia to South Carolina.

Along the way the gang bicker, rehash old conflicts (Tatum slept with Bomer’s girlfriend apparently), run into cool photographer chick Zoe (Amber Heard) plus his ex-flame ringmaster Rome (Jada Pinkett-Smith), nicely picking up the mantle from Matthew McConaughey and, in some ways, doing a better job) and an hilarious, extended, and largely superfluous segment, with the sexy, southern divorcee Nancy (Andie MacDowell) having a blast.

MMXXL is not going to trouble Pulp Fiction for a spot on the greatest films ever made list but it is, pants down, one of the more charming, consistently funny, ridiculously sexy adult comedies to emerge from some time.

Most of the credit has to go to producer/star Tatum who’s distinct brand of charm and sexiness seems to have rubbed off on all involved.

The men walk a fine line between sexy, charming and goofy (Maganiello, particularly, benefits from his extra screen time and the chance to show some serious comedic chops) while the women, Heard, Pinkett-Smith, MacDowell and Elizabeth Banks are all given their moment to shine.

Dance routines and choreography as sexy and well shot by director Gregory Jacobs and DP Steven Soderbergh while all other production credits are solid rather than spectacular.

3/5

SHE SAID

The sequel to 2012’s Magic Mike, XXL is set three years after the events of the first with the eponymous Mike coming back to the stripping game after bowing out to pursue his furniture design business.

The remaining Kings of Tampa head off on a road trip to a stripping convention for one last hurrah before retirement.

Magic Mike XXL is a lot of fun but is lacking the depth of character that made the first film so good. Instead of a character drama hidden beneath the glitz of male strippers (sorry male entertainers) taking their clothes off, we get an out and out strip show with little drama.

That’s not to say the film is not good. It was very entertaining and much funnier than the first. Instead of trying to win critics over with a gritty storyline they have given the fans what they want: an all out male strip show with more perfectly defined abs and hairless chests than muscle beach.

Magic Mike XXL is essentially about men who love women; who’s main goal is to make women happy, even just for a few moments. Mike even refers to his “God” as a “she”, which is most progressive.

The women in this film are more rounded than the first and really hold their own in terms of comedy. Jada Pinkett Smith is superb as the new MC of the group; bringing style, humour and a certain level of female empowerment to the role.

Overall this film is great fun and well worth a watch if you’re a fan of the first, just don’t expect to delve too far below the surface of the world of male entertainment.

3/5

Matt Williams
@mattmusic78

Niki Alexandrou
@nikialexandrou

Niki Alexandrou

Niki Alexandrou

Niki Alexandrou

Latest posts by Niki Alexandrou (see all)